Raphia harvesting and management by traditional communities in the Makoua District, Congo

Abstract

Background: The survey of traditional knowledge associated with Raphia involves three riverside communities, the largest Raphia plantations in Makoua (Congo). The aim is to perpetuate traditional knowledge and the daily involvement of raffia in strengthening the socio-cultural base.

Methods: In addition to bibliographic research, the ethnobotanical survey is coupled with the collection of samples and tangible evidence of the use of these taxa. Informants, aged at least 15, were classified according to gender and socio-professional category. Data collection took place from 17 February 2021 to 15 March 2021 and from 15 September 2021 to 15 November 2021.

Results: Data collection revealed three species (Raphia cf. gentiliana, R. hookeri, R. laurentii), two of which are known to be used in food, phytotherapy and handicrafts. At ethnolinguistic level, the taxa are perfectly serialised by the communities. Ethnobotanical indices (frequency of citation of species and uses (FC), number of uses reported (Nur), relative frequency of citation (FRC), level of fidelity (NF), cultural index of importance of each use category (FC/N), cultural index of importance of all use categories (CI), use value (VU), respondent diversity indices (ID), equitability index (IE)) reveal that all communities, regardless of socio-professional category, use Raphia for the same purposes (food, medicinal, craft), albeit to different degrees. Raphia products come from vegetative and generative organs, and the most prized are leaves, sap, fruits and the beetle larvae that develop on them. Despite some harvesting preferences, these products are a guaranteed source of income for the local population. Although communities are unanimous in their harvesting practices, their anthropic impact on the resource and dependence on it are not expressed with the same acuity. The ever-increasing demand for raffia products on urban and local markets, coupled with the annual harvesting of individuals and unsustainable harvesting techniques, expose Raphia and raffiales to over-exploitation. Traditional communities unanimously approve of the socio-economic and cultural attractions of raffia and its products.

Conclusions: The data from this study is sufficient evidence for us to take another look at these ecosystems. Sustainable management of raffia palm groves and Raphia spp. is more than necessary, both for local populations and for humanity, in the context of the fight against global warming.

Keywords: Ethnobotany, Raphia, endogenous knowledge, ethnobotanical index, sociocultural base, Congo